Literature Review

Middle manager burnout, layoffs, and the search for solutions HR Query; 1/6/25Middle managers are facing unprecedented pressure. As organizations streamline communication, this critical layer is often caught in the crossfire, with layoffs impacting one-third of this group in 2023.A recent study revealed that 75% of middle managers report experiencing burnout, and 40% are actively seeking new opportunities. This alarming trend poses a significant risk to organizations, as middle managers play a vital role in driving revenue, fostering employee growth, and ensuring operational success. ... Dana Rogers, VP of People at O.C. Tanner, shares valuable insights on the critical role of middle managers in organizational success, strategies for HR teams to rebuild trust and support with middle managers, and leveraging employee appreciation tactics to reduce burnout and boost confidence. Her first tip? HR leaders should be loud with appreciation.

Winter snow storm slams into over a dozen states in the East, Midwest USA Today; by Julia Gomez; 1/6/25 The Central Plains and Midwest are getting slammed by a winter storm , according to officials, and it's leaving over a dozen inches of snow in some places. Here's a look at what the storm is leaving behind. Over 60 million people in the Central Plains, Midwest and along the East Coast are being bombarded by heavy snowfall because of the "disruptive" winter storm moving through the area, according to the National Weather Service. Some areas could see snowfall anywhere between 8 to 14 inches. The storm is also expected to impact travel in Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati and bring the cities to a standstill.Editor's note: Are you ready for emergencies in your service areas? Click here for the CMS.gov Emergency Preparedness Rule. Click here for Wisconsin's CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Toolkit: Hospices.

National Alliance for Care at Home, Transcend Strategy Group release hospice report HomeCare, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; HomeCare; 1/3/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (The Alliance) and Transcend Strategy Group, a marketing agency for homecare companies, published the results of their Rural American Hospice Insights report, a new study that explored perceptions of hospice care among rural and small-town communities. The Alliance said the survey, which included 400 participants, aims to provide health equity and break down barriers to accessing hospice and homecare through knowledge sharing, data collection and collaborative discussion.  “Ensuring access to high-quality hospice and homecare in rural communities is critical,” said Steve Landers, CEO of The National Alliance for Care at Home. “These communities deserve care that is tailored to their unique needs, and in an America where more and more health care desserts are arising due to provider closures from inadequate reimbursement, maintaining quality care and continuing to build trust in the care provided is of the utmost importance."

Johns Hopkins Medicine CEO: 'Bring the joy back to medicine'Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 12/19/24 One year after Theodore DeWeese, MD, assumed permanent leadership of Johns Hopkins Medicine, he remains focused on enhancing patient care and bringing care closer to home. ... Dr. DeWeese shared his strategies for 2025 with Becker's, in areas such as employee retention, capital investments and community partnerships. ... Dr. Theodore DeWeese: Health systems across the country are facing a workforce shortage that will likely get worse over the next decade. ... Given the shortage, part of our approach to retention is focusing on the culture of our organization and investing in the well-being of our employees and career development of the provider workforce. We are working to bring the joy back to medicine by creating a culture where everyone can thrive, whether it's by easing the administrative burden that clinicians face or offering greater flexibility for front-line workers. ...

What’s the most impactful thing you learned this year? Harvard Business Review (HBR); by Kelsey Hansen; 12/31/24 What’s one thing you learned this year that changed the way you lead? We asked HBR’s global social media community this question to get a sense of the lessons our readers are taking into the new year. We’ve collected some highlights here so that we can all reflect and learn from one another. Our readers shared lessons learned around the importance of (truly) listening; leading with vulnerability and humility; and why we should all prioritize reflection and lifelong education. In the spirit of continuous learning, we’ve also included some resources to dig deeper in HBR articles and podcasts. ...

Human composting is rising in popularity as an earth-friendly life after death CNN; by Ella Nilsen; 12/29/24 The first time Laura Muckenhoupt felt a glimmer of hope after the death of her 22-year-old son Miles was the drive home from the Washington state facility that had turned his body into hundreds of pounds of soil. There was an empty seat in the family pickup truck where Miles should have been sitting. But riding with her husband and daughter on the 12-hour drive home, Laura felt her son’s presence clearly. ... Human composting turns bodies into soil by speeding up “what happens on the forest floor,” according to Tom Harries, CEO of Earth Funeral, the human composting company the Muckenhoupt family worked with. “What we’re doing is accelerating a completely natural process,” Harris told CNN. Human composting is emerging as an end-of-life alternative that is friendlier to the climate and the Earth — it is far less carbon-intensive than cremation and doesn’t use chemicals involved to preserve bodies in traditional burials.

To build a strong leadership team, invest in the middle Forbes; by Marissa Morrison; 12/26/24 An organization’s success is determined by the strength of its people—most notably, its mid-level talent. These leaders are mediators, connectors, drivers and collaborators. They communicate feedback, motivate junior staff, hold teams accountable and execute company goals. They also play a crucial role in shaping culture. With all these responsibilities, it’s clear why organizations need trusted mid-level talent. However, these employees often lack the developmental support they need. ... 5 Ways Organizations Can Support Middle Managers: ...

Where 74 health system leaders are focused to prepare for 2025 Becker's Hospital Review; Mariah Muhammad; 12/23/24 Becker's asked C-suite executives from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to share the areas they're focusing on for 2025. The 74 executives featured in this article are all speaking at the Becker's Healthcare 15th Annual Meeting on April 28 - May 1, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. ...  Question: What are the top headwinds you're preparing for in 2025? Editor's note: Click on the title's link for this lengthy list. Key themes include (but are not limited to):

10 headwinds for health systems in 2025Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 12/23/24Healthcare executives are preparing for 2025, a year likely filled with profound challenges and big opportunities. From workforce shortages to financial pressures, technological advances, and policy uncertainties, 74 health system executives and leaders shared their biggest headwinds heading into next year. The big themes include:

Hospice volunteering isn't for everyone but a rewarding way to give back News Talk 830 WCCO; by Susie Jones; 12/27/24 Volunteering is big part of the holiday season for some, with people wanting to help others even in difficult times. Being a hospice volunteer isn't for everyone.  It can certainly be scary to sit with someone who is dying. "It's not just a job, it's not just a volunteer gig, and I can always, always welcome new volunteers," says Allina Health hospice program administrator Erika Schuld. However, Schuld says it can be very rewarding. "You're in these really intimate, vulnerable settings, and you just form bonds really quickly, and it really is our honor in hospice to walk along with patients and families," explains Schuld. Doctor Glen Varns is the medical director of the program and he says volunteers do not administer medication. Instead they do other things to support families. Editor's note: The CMS standard 42 CFR §418.78(e) requires hospices to use volunteers for at least 5% of patient care hours. This was waived during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then reinstated May 11, 2023 when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially expired. CMS's volunteer requirement is unique to hospice care. Ensure that your hospice provides appropriate selection, background checks, required TB tests, job descriptions for different volunteer roles, matching of the volunteer to the best role, training, supervision, and tracking of hours for CMS's requirement. Additionally, your hospice must adhere to applicable state laws and internal HR Policies and Procedures regarding volunteers. Click here for the CMS standard.

Statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; by Matt Wilkinson; 12/29/24 With profound sadness, Tom Koutsoumpas, CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the leading advocate for not-for-profit advanced illness, hospice, and palliative care providers, today released the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter: “With heavy hearts, NPHI joins the nation in mourning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter — an incredible statesman and humanitarian. His long and impactful life, spanning almost a century, is reflective of a steadfast dedication to service. As a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, he will be remembered for his persistent efforts in seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting economic and social development. When President Carter chose to receive hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, he and his family made the decision that countless others do — to receive care in the comfort and solace of their homes, surrounded by the love and support of family. President Carter’s nearly two-year journey in hospice care highlights its profound value, challenging the misconception that hospice is solely for the final days of life. His experience illustrates how hospice can provide comfort, dignity, and compassion for those navigating life’s final chapter. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the entire Carter family and to those who drew inspiration from his life’s extraordinary work.” 

The HAP Foundation partners with Communities in Schools of ChicagoHAP Foundation press release; 12/16/24The HAP Foundation has partnered with Communities in Schools of Chicago to fulfill the need for grief workshops for students in Chicago Public Schools. Through HAP’s Missing Pieces program, we have provided support for nearly 10 students and families that have experienced a death of a sibling or friend through this partnership. Missing Pieces provides grief navigation support for families who experience the loss of a child. This year, over 350 families have been served.

Increasing awareness of hospice services among Latinos on the border YouTube - Borderzine Reporting across fronteras; features Hospice El Paso; 12/25/24 El Paso's Latino Community is seeing a rise in the use of hospice care ... Hospice in Mexico is a place and so a lot of Hispanics--true Mexicans--feel that you're going to take a loved one out of their home when it comes to hospice care. ... Latino families make up a growing portion of hospice users, reflecting national efforts in bilingual outreach and cultural sensitivity programs I had heard. The term "hospice"--I didn't know I didn't know what it meant. I didn't know what it involved but after my dad was enrolled in hospice ... I realized [that it] provided emotional and medical support ... [and] comfort that respects their cultural values. We were very fortunate that the individuals that came in that met with us beforehand and after were bilingual. I noticed that they spoke in English and in Spanish so that they would look between myself, my mom my sister to make sure we were nodding, agreeing, listening, hearing. I think that made a difference. It was very comforting. My dad at one point even said, "They gave me a bath but they didn't get the bed wet." That was our big joke and the fact that he was very comfortable. As more Hispanic families turn to hospice they're finding it offers not just medical care, but a way to honor their loved ones with dignity respect and familiar comforts in their final days.Editor's note: For data on the Hispanic population in the areas you serve, click here for the